Solstice: Light Up

Although their history stretches back over 4 decades, I must admit that I’ve only heard one previous Solstice album, that be Sia (also reviewed on the site), which arrived with me together with this, the band’s 2023 album, Light Up. In all honesty Sia left me impressed if a little unexcited by the ever so laid back approach from Solstice, making it all the more exciting when the title track to this album burst into life full of verve and energy. I’m actually guessing that the title to this release maybe explains why I struggled to connect with Sia… possibly I’m just a little too straight-laced? Anyway, that issue is completely negated here, the mix brighter and the energy levels seriously ramped up.

The band’s line-up consists Andy Glass (guitar, vocals), Jenny Newman (violin), Pete Hemsley (drums), Jess Holland (vocals), Robin Phillips (bass) and Steven McDaniel (keys/vocals) and again, it’s the first named of those who writes, produces, mixes and masters everything included - and well he might, Andy Glass having been in Solstice from their inception some 44 years ago. However, there’s no point filling the band with equally talented people and not letting them shine, so yes, while “Wongle No9� shows some guitar flash, so “Mount Ephraim� puts the rather wonderful violin playing of Jenny Newman right up front, while it has to be said that the pleasingly prominent in the mix bass work from Robin Phillips throughout makes for a real ear catching contrast. For my taste, the more heavy involvement from Steven McDaniel on keys across the album boosts what could well be just a little too laid back, traditional, folk tinged progressive rock into a sphere where the melodies sing, the rhythms rock and the overall intensity sits on just the right side of urgent. Admittedly “Run� is an ethereal shimmer of mood and emotion but surrounded by the well balanced “Home�, which even has a stark pop streak running through it, and the lilting “Bulbul Tarang�, the overall effect of Light Up is of a crafted album that flows wonderfully from start to finish.

Track Listing
1. Light Up 

2. Wongle No. 9 

3. Mount Ephraim 

4. Run 

5. Home

6. Bulbul Tarang

Added: April 28th 2024
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Solstice @ bandcamp
Hits: 257
Language: english

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